how about drinking?

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Twofer Tuesday! Happy Election Day. I hope everyone will vote or has already voted. It sounds like early and absentee voting has gotten much more popular since COVID.

Funny, Teka!

Morning, Minus!

Karen--how can that teacher think it's ok to fill out a part of the IEP that is outside their education and scope of practice? That takes real egotism. Glad the new school is so much closer to home. It will be interesting to see how the financial status of the community makes a difference in the school functioning.

Chi--I have this amazingly funny picture in my mind now of you with Happy sprawled over you interfering with your typing and view of the monitor!

The Running Mate

• 2 ounces bourbon
• 3/4 ounce cranberry juice
• 3/4 ounce lime juice
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and shake. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with two raspberries and one blueberry on a toothpick.

From <https://www.courier-journal.com/story/life/food/recipes/2018/11/06/election-day-2018-political-themed-cocktail-recipes/1908948002/>

Kim - remember the sped teacher I complained about - well after the IEP meeting today, she told me it was the best one that she has ever had and on my way out at end of day, she thanked me for all my help!! Finished up my coverage at that school today - the young new SP will be good - she is a go getter - even after the "dear in the headlights" look this morning when I was trying to show her stuff. Sweet kid.

We went for a walk after dinner and it started raining - I had my big long down coat on and it is soaked!! We did our normal 25 minute walk. at lunch I walked for 10 minutes but it was only drizzling.

Going to see our Toronto kids for a long week-end in a few weeks. DH was able to use mileage points to "buy" the tickets - he tried in the morning yesterday but didn't act on it and it the afternoon they were gone. Then by chance he tried again this morning and seats were available. I will take one day comp time from the summer and leave a little early the day we leave. Now we have to book tickets to see DD#2. DH doesn't have enough points for tickets, I do for 1 1/2 tickets (points on cc) so would have to pay cash for the balance which is about 1/2 the price of a ticket, but DH doesn't like the flights. Will wait and see.

Not much else to report. Stay safe, warm and healthy.

Just a quick check in. Infusion went fine, MO will video call if needed after my scan results are in and we'll discuss possible treatment changes, due to my TM's going up. I told him if we didn't check TM's, I would still be on my original treatment, as I don't feel any different than I did 7 years ago. I haven't had scans in over 2 years, so there's got to be progression there, altho I don't feel it. Anywho, visits are actually going ok, today DH goes for w/c fitting, tomorrow new doc for him and Friday is the current one. I got me another baby fix. Only a pic with the newborn tho. But had so much fun with her 3 yo big sister, she is such a sweetie.

Karen, I couldn't believe what I read about that person doing your IEP, that's crazy! Glad you will get to go see your DD1 soon, and hopefully DD2 in the near future. How is your SIL doing?

NM, it was sad to read about the little one talking suicide. I hope it all works out ok. You wouldn't even think at that age they would even know what that is. Do you know if it was because of bullying?

Hi Jewell and welcome. Interesting about the oranges, but may I ask what prompted that? Like NM said, pull up a bar stool, order a drink and tell us a little about yourself!

OMG Goldie what a dear little girl! Thanks for sharing her with us and bringing a smile.

I echo the sadness at knowing a child was feeling so desperate. NM what a tough thing to handle but so glad you did.

I'm still trying to get rid of low grade fever and a tickle-cough left over from my case of breakthrough covid. Will be asking my Dr. If I'll need a booster or not.

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Thirsty Thursday! The Wednesday, Women and Wine group are having a Temporary Thursday get together this evening at a nice restaurant that isn't open on Wednesdays. It'll be my first time there, but I've heard really nice things from the ladies who have been there before. I'm really looking forward to it.

COVID cases are leveling out here in Maine, similar severalhundred new cases per day, similar number in ICUs, similar numbers on breathing machines as for the last couple of weeks. Finally at school we are down to only one child in quarantine at the moment. Next project will be a vax clinic for the youngsters.

Serious frost showing all over this ayem, had the same yesterday ayem. Fall has truly arrived!

Sadie says HI!

Goldie--great baby pic! Glad the infusion went well. Praying the scans do not show any progression. It's not fair to be in a situation where you feel fine but have to worry about TMs. The suicidal comment issue was related to bullying, but I think that is the tip of the iceberg. But now it's being addressed, for which I am grateful. Lots going on for DH, too, it seems.

Morning, Teka!

Reader--Thanks for the vote of confidence! I'm sorry you aren't feeling well, remember the usual advice, lots and lots of fluids and lots and lots of rest. At least as much as you can manage.

Chi--good info.

I'm feeling pretty old right now: my baby boy Gordy (now 37 and engaged) is on a statin and an ACE inhibitor--just like his dad! (And has rosacea, just like his mom; has also been wearing progressive-lens glasses since age 33--earlier than either Bob or me were).

DOTD: Mumm Napa 2014 sparkling Pinot Meunier. Not to celebrate anything, but rather to soothe me after a text-messaging glitch caused by updating my phone's OS--and a futile evening with AppleCare trying to resolve it. (When I try to text certain numbers that are Android phones not on T-Mobile, the messaging app inserts a "1" before the number, making it 11 digits long and triggering the error message "Invalid number--please use a valid 10-digit number or short code"). Tried every suggestion online and from AppleCare techs, to no avail.

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy TGIF day! The Wednesday, Women and Wine Temporary Thursday get together was really fun, in a beautiful venue, with great food and some new faces to get to know. It's also the first time I've spent over $100 on a meal for myself in ages! But worth it.

Good thing dinner was worth it because Silly Sadie was NOT HAPPY with me getting home so late. I got the cold shoulder treatment until I went to bed, then I got the Ninja Paw treatment off and on all night. I think I have bruises from her nails from a couple of her more energetic pushes! But she seems to have forgiven me this ayem after I put a treat in her breakfast bowl.

Karen--I cringe every time I hear about a healthcare worker making a statement like that to a patient. Making it hard for them? Really? Are we expected to plan our lives around the convenience of the mammogram tech?Right now my school doesn't have a counselor or social worker. I've met the new social worker, but I don't know when she starts. So for now I'm the only one in the school full time to do them. The principal travels between 2 schools, and would (and did) come back to do an eval/review. It's not an easy job, that's for sure. The amount of time the process takes up surprised me, and made me realize that I need to set up some sort of arrangement so I can have a block if uninterrupted time. Trying to make confidential phone calls with kiddos knocking on the door for bandaids and ice packs was challenging.

Chi--Isn't technology wonderful when it thinks it knows better than we do?

Kid1919--Welcome! It must be great fun watching your nephew.

One of the cocktails I had last night was a

Highbrow Society

Ingredients:

Pear vodka

Domaine de Canton (ginger liqueur)

Lime

Agave

Reader, so sorry about that cough and fever, seems like lots of folks get that from Covid.

NM, glad your numbers are leveling out with Covid. I only keep track of our little county and the one next to us. But our numbers have to be going up in droves, as no one wears a mask. Whoa, that is a hefty bill for a meal, but you sure deserve it is right. LOL @ the Ninja Paw treatment.

Gosh Karen, that was uncalled for, that nurse yelling at you for coming in for mammo while nursing. There are always nicer ways to say things to people! Glad your SIL is doing well.

Sandy, that sounds like a big PITA with the extra 1 in your phone numbers.

Hi Kid, and welcome. How old is your nephew you are watching.

Beaver, at least chilling the bubbly was the only thing you forgot, DH and I forget the whole date!

SOOOOOO glad to be home finally. DH will be getting a loaner wheelchair on the 15th. There is a point system they use to determine the progression of ALS. Things like can you dress independently, with little help, with a lot of help, or not at all. Each question has like 4 options. He went from a 35 last time to 31 this time. He will also get a bi level machine soon. We will be changing doctors, he likes this young gal and so do I. I like the current one, but they are dragging their feet on my DH's needs.

Thank you all re the baby pic. Gosh, how can you not love holding one of God's special creations! I've really been getting my baby fix lately and I'm loving it!

LOL, DOTD: Babyfood Cocktail

1. Fill your glass 4/5 of the way with Champagne.

2. Add half a pack of baby food, or to taste.

3. Plunk 3-4 raspberries in the glass and add a sprig of mint.

The instructions for this are rather vague because we all like our bellinis a certain way. I suggest you add as much peach baby food as you like! Add a fun stir stick so that you can keep mixing any peach that winds up on the bottom of your glass.

NM, scary situation with the bus. Glad nobody was hurt. That could have been very bad!

Getting a tad upset with my one step DD. I told my DH I need to know if they are coming for TG by this weekend. Actually I'm ok until Wednesday, as that is when I will go to town. If they come, that's an additional 4 people, and my shopping list would be quite different. It's not like I can run to the store to get something, it's an hour and 15 minutes one way! I really really don't want them coming at Xmas, and I have to do this all over again!

For those of you that have left over Halloween candy!

Lori - great list - didn't buy Halloween candy to give out, but when at the grocery store, they still had some left 50% off so bought 3 bags - miniature Hershey chocolate bars, kisses and mixed chocolates. I've gained a few pounds so I need to stop snacking and stress eating. I want to loose 3-5# - 5 is a little much but would give me some leeway. So why did I buy chocolate. I go back and forth between liking sour chewy candy and chocolate but haven't eaten chocolate in a couple weeks, but eating too much sour chewy candy. Hoping DS will eat some of the chocolate. Giving up snacking is how I lost the weight in the first place and now I'm at what I call my high limit - you'd laugh at me if you knew my weight, but since I've kept it lower, its the first time that I love my body!!!! No belly.

80 yesterday - sat out in the sun ready yesterday afternoon - arms and front of legs and nice and tanned. Will ready for about an hour this afternoon. Weather is supposed to cool off to 50s and 60s this week.

Have a great Sunday.

I too wish cami well and hope she pops in. Until then (and in her honor), here’s a pic of “Monkey”, a friends cat we’re caring for while he’s in the hospital.

Thought y'all would enjoy the candy wine parring.

Karen, I'm not a big sweet eater, so no candy here. DH does like his chocolate, so I try to keep a bowl by his chair of some sorts. You always look a healthy weight to me, don't be stressing over 3#, but I get it! I like to be 140-145, currently maintaining at about 142. I don't like getting under 140.

Jazzy, sorry about the post gremlins, darn them! Good luck with all the dental issues, glad you are feeling better.

NM, I would think the kiddos do better with the "fall back" as opposed to the "spring forward". I wouldn't imagine Sadie would care about the time change, as you say "the life of a dog".

I will try and contact Cami today to see how she is doing, as I haven't heard from her either. I will let her know she is thought of.

As for TG, now the oldest is saying they will come for TG, but not to plan on them for food! WTH, you are coming over and we are eating in front of you? I don't know if she's pissed, or what is going on. I know she is hesitant being around her sister, her and her DH are out and about doing things, mostly outside things, but def. being social. Concerns me too.

Guess who! Love the pouty one!

Goldie,

Thank You!!

Some cute sunshine with my coffee.

My cats were not happy with the time change--they eat at 11 am, which yesterday to them felt like noon.They eat 4x/day (every 4 hrs. while I'm up), so beginning at 2:15pm CDT I kept pushing back each subsequent feeding until 11pm felt like 11 pm to them. I hate the autumn changeover--that extra hour of sleep is not worth early sunsets--especially when the sun is glaring through my windshield at 3:30. I love late sunsets, especially during outdoor-dining season.

The only candy-wine pairing I do is either a ruby port, late-harvest Zin, or a dark red like Cahors with dark chocolate. Every other candy I eat--when I do eat it--gets black coffee or espresso.

My doctors have told me that I will always have a belly, thanks to having had a C-section 37 years ago. They don't tell you that the abs gradually weaken after having been cut, to the point where, by ones 50s-70s, they lose their tone and csuse the belly to pooch out--both a spare tire and that infamous "apron" known as a panniculus. Only remedies, no matter how much the weight loss, are surgery or Spanx. The former's risks & pain aren't worth the vanity boost, and I can't don shapewear without injuring myself (muscle strains, broken fingernails, etc.). I gave up pantyhose and tights for the same reason--thank heaven for stay-up thigh-high stockings.

DsOTD, when I did drink since last I posted, were mostly bubbly: either Mumm Napa Sparkling Pinot Meunier, or the split of Chandon Brut I had when Bob got off work early enough to go, per his request, to Calo (our old-standby Italian joint since we first moved to Chicago in '78). Fri. night we went to dinner at our BFFs' place, and brought 2018 Fess Parker Pinot Noir (St. Rita Hills, CA).

Probably gonna teetotal tonight.

Lori - Nora is adorable even with the pout. My weight is good, but I want to keep it within a 5 point range and I'm starting to go over it. Even when I weighed 25# more, no one was telling me to loose weight but I did gradually by not snacking - quite a bit in summer 2016 and some more in the few years since then, till this fall. The issue for me, this is the first time I love how my body looks - with all the scars etc. I'm worried that the weight will keep going up and up if I'm not careful. It's really hard for people to understand that even thin people worry how they look and weigh.

Sandy - I can see why texting is difficult with a fur ball laying across you. I've always carried my weight in my belly - even in my 20s. At this weight range is the first time that I don't have a belly.

Jazzy - great sign

Lori - what a mess with TG. Hope it all works out. It will just be DH, me and DS. No other immediate family in driving distance. My brother and his wife are in Cincinnati and that is a 21 hour drive. They would never come to me as if they go anywhere it is to her son and granddaughter's place in MD. DH brother just moved from Ohio to NJ so way to far, but they always went to his in-laws for TG. Oh well, what can we do.

I do not like the time change either to Std time or DST. Pick one and stick with it.

Going to go finish a book I've been reading. I think I have one more book then it's time to get more. I should check out the library instead of Amazon and Costco!